Waste container and packer

ABSTRACT

The waste container and packer includes an open top cylindrical receptacle, a plunger reciprocally movable within the receptacle, and a seat on the upper end of the plunger. A snap ring on the rim of the receptacle guides the plunger in its reciprocal movement. A disposable liner for the receptacle has the upper end thereof folded over the rim and secured to the receptacle when the snap ring is mounted in place. Waste in the liner is packed or compressed by the weight of a person supported on the seat.

United States Patent 1191 Bradbury, H

11 3,744,409 July 10, 1973 [54] WASTE CONTAINER AND PACKER [75]Inventor: Roy R. Bradbury, 11, St. Louis, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Popeil Brothers, Inc., Chicago, Ill. 22 Filed: Mar. 6,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 232,045

[52] US. Cl 100/102, 100/245, 100/265,

. 297/193 [51] Int. Cl .1 B301) 1/00 [58] Field of Search 297/193, 461,462;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 960,028 5 910 Low 100/2652,465,839 3/1949 BlOOmfield 100/226 2,526,767 10/1950 Parker 297/193 x2,419,163 4 1947 Pope 297/193 x 2,919,169 12/1959 Jackson 297/193 XFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 147,009 8/1902 Germany 100/265 809,46012/1965 Canada 297/462 Primary Examiner-Billy J. WilhiteAttorney-Rudolph L. Lowell [57] ABSTRACT The waste container and packerincludes an open top cylindrical receptacle, a plunger reciprocallymovable within the receptacle, and a seat on the upper end of theplunger. A snap ring on the rim of the receptacle guides the plunger inits reciprocal movement. A disposable liner for the receptacle has theupper end thereof folded over the rim and secured to the receptacle whenthe snap ring is mounted in place.- Waste in vthe liner is packed orcompressed by the weight of a person supported on the seat. v

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WASTE CONTAINER AND PACKER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION opening and closing of the cover the packer, after a packingoperation, is automatically returned to a rest position projectedupwardly through the cover. The ef fective length of the packerextendible within the container is thus necessarily reduced along with aresultant reduction in packing efficiency.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The waste container and packer is of a simpleand rugged construction and efficient in operation to pack anappreciable quantity of waste into a small compact package forconvenient disposal. By virtue of a seat member on the upper end of theplunger waste packing is accomplished by the weight of a personsupported on the seat. An effective packing pressure is thus obtainedwith a complete elimination of any power operated press devices. Thecontainer and packer is of a pleasing overall appearance and may be usedas a kitchen stool when the plunger is within thereceptacle.Additionally, the plunger alone may be utilized as a stool atwhich time the receptacle would serve as anopen top waste container. Theeasy attachment of the disposable liner to, and positioning within, thereceptacle promotes its use for providing a clean and quick disposal ofthe compacted trash or waste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational 'view ofthe waste container and packer of this invention with parts broken awayand other parts shown in section;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the waste container andpacker;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plunger assembly that forms part ofthe waste container and packer with some parts broken awayto moreclearly show its construction; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a disposable liner having one portionbroken away and another portion folded over to more clearly illustrateits construction and use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, thewaste container and packer, indicated generally as 10, is illustrated asincluding a cylindrical receptacle 11 having an open upper end 12, aplunger assembly 15 including a tubudirection so that the diameter ofthe receptacle at its open end 12 is larger than the diameter of itsbottom or base wall 23. The outer wall 21, from the rim 22, isprogressively tapered in a downward and outward direction so as to be ina diverging relation with the inner wall 19. The lower end of the outerwall 21 is integrally formed with an outwardly projected annular footsection 24 that has an upper horizontal ledge or shoulder 26 and aconcave outer side surface 27. As shown in FIG. 1 the bottom wall 23 andthe foot section 24 function as a base to positively support thereceptacle in an upright position on a floor surface or the like.

The plunger 13 of the plunger assembly 15 is of a shorter length thanthe receptacle 11 so that when the plunger is in a fully extendedposition within the receptacle there is formed between the plunger lowerend 14 and the receptacle bottom wall 23 a packing compart-.

ment 28. The open upper end 16 of the plunger 13 terminates in anannular flange that extends radially outwardly over the rim 22 of thereceptacle 11 when the plunger 13 is in a fully extended position. Theflange 29 is secured as by screws 31 to the underside of a discshapedframe member 32 that forms part of the seat unit 17. Also secured to theframe member 32 by the screws 31 is a depending cylindrical skirt 33arranged outwardly from and in a concentrically spaced relation with thereceptacle outer wall 21. An inwardly projected annular flange 34 at theupper end of the skirt is arranged in a superimposed relation with theflange 29 of the plunger 13. Holes 36 and 37 (FIG. 2) circumferentiallyspaced in the flanges 29 and 34, respectively, are positioned inalignment to receive the common holding screws 31.

A round resilient seat cushion 38, (FIGS. 1 and 2) composed of a foamrubber material, is positioned in a covering relation on the seat framemember 32 and covered with a suitable material 39 such as Naugahide. Thecovering material 39 extends under and is suitably secured to the framemember 32. s

As thus far described it is seen that the plunger assembly 15, comprisedof. the plunger 13, seat unit 17 and skirt 33, is movable relative tothe receptacle 11. It is further seen in FIG. 1, that when the plunger13 is in a fully retracted position within the receptacle 11 the seatunit 17 is in resting engagement on the rim 22 and the lower edge 41 ofthe skirt 33 is adjacent the foot 24. Additionally, it will be seen thatthe skirt lower end 41 has its outer surface 42 corresponding incurvature with the side surface 27 of the foot 24 so as to besubstantially continuous therewith. Thus, with the plunger 13 fullyextended the skirt 33 and the foot section 24 give the appearance of aunit columnar support'for the seat unit 17.

With further reference to FIG. 1, it is seen that the skirt 33 is ofgreater length than the plunger 13. Thus, when the plunger is removedfrom the receptacle 11, as occurs when waste is to be placed in thereceptacle, the lower end 41 of the skirt may be positioned directly ona floor surface so that the skirt functions as a standard or columnsupport for the plunger assembly 15, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

As previously mentioned, the inner wall 19 of the receptacle 11 istapered in an upward and outward direction while the plunger 13 is of aconstant diameter over its full length. This relative construction ofthe plunger and receptacle provides a working clearance providing areciprocal movement of the plunger 13 free of any i binding action withthe inner peripheral surface of the bearing ring carried on the rim 22for bearing engagement with the plunger 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The bearingring is of a snap fastening type and of a U-shape in transverse crosssection providing for a snap action fit in a superimposed position onthe rim 22. The inner leg 44 of the bearing or snap ring 43 is inclinedinwardly and downwardly for engagement of its free end 46 with the outerperipheral surface of the plunger 13. The outer leg 47 of the ring 43 isformed adjacent its free end with an inside circumferentially extendedbead 48 that is received within an outside circumferential recess 49(FIGS. 1 and 2) in the rim 22 to define the locked position of the snapring 43 on the rim.

A disposable liner 51 (FIGS. 1 and 4) formed of a flexible waterresistant material is of a size corresponding to the interior shapeofthe receptacle l1 and of a length slightly greater than the length ofthe receptacle. With the liner positioned within the receptacle, asshown in FIG. 1, its open upper end 52 extends above the rim 22 and isfolded over the rim in the manner indicated at 52a in FIG. 4. Thisinstallation of the liner 51 takes place with the snap ring 43 removedso that when the snap ring is assembled in position on the rim 22 itfunctions as a lock to securely hold the liner 51 against droppingdownwardly into the receptacle 11.

The adjacent ends 56 (FIG. of the snap ring 43 are circumferentiallyspaced a distance apart to form an air passage or bleed 57 at the upperend of the receptacle 11 to permit the escape of air from the interiorof the receptacle on downward movement of the plunger. To facilitate theinsertion and removal of the liner 51 the base wall 23 of the receptacle11 is formed at the junction of the base wall 23 and inner wall 19 withone or more air bleed openings 58.

In the use of this invention assume the liner 51 to be in place withinthe receptacle 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The plunger assembly is thenremoved from the receptacle and placed to one side thereof in asupported position on a floor surface as shown in FIG. 3. Waste materialor trash is then placed within the receptacle 1 1 through its open end12 after which the plunger assembly 15 is replaced on the receptacle 11.By then utilizing the container and packer as a stool, the weight of aperson supported on the seat 17 compresses the waste material in thepacking compartment 28. The packing operation thus takes placeconcurrently with the utility of the container as a stool.

The above procedure is repeated until the plunger 13 has about fiftypercent of its length extended upwardly from the receptacle 11. At suchtime the plunger 13 is again removed, and on release of the snap ring 43from the rim 22 the liner S1 with the compacted waste therein is removedfor disposal purposes. A new liner 51 is then placed in the receptacle11 and secured by the snap ring 43 prior to replacing the plungerassembly 15 on the receptacle.

In one embodiment of the invention the plunger 13 has a diameter ofabout 8 inches and a length of about 12 inches, for placement within areceptacle 11 having a length of about 18 inches. With this embodiment,it was found that a quantity of loose or non-compacted waste materialsufficient to fill about a 30 gallon container would be progressivelycompacted within the receptacle 11 by a person weighing about 165pounds.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since changes can be made therein which are within the fullintended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A waste container and packer comprising: a. a receptaclehaving anopen top with a peripheral rim and a base section, b. a plungerreciprocably movable within said receptacle having an outer end,

c. a seat unit constituting a cover for said open top when the plungeris in an extended position within said receptacle, and

d. means for securing said seat unit to the outer end of said plunger,

e. said receptacle, when the plunger is removed therefrom, adapted toreceive waste which, on replacement 'of the plunger within thereceptacle, is compressed by the weight of a person supported on saidseat unit.

2. A waste container according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said receptacle has a side wall, and said base section extendslaterally outwardly from said side wall, and a depending skirt member onsaid seat unit positioned. outwardly from and in a concentrically spacedrelation with said plunger to provide for the reception of said sidewall therebetween,

b. said skirt member having the lower end thereof adjacent said basesection when the plunger is extended within said receptacle.

3. A waste container according to claim 2, wherein:

a. said skirt member is of a greater length than said plunger so as toconstitute a supporting column for said seat unit when the plunger isremoved from the receptacle during a waste receiving or a waste removingoperation.

4. A waste container according to claim 1 including:

a. Air vent means for said receptacle to air bleed the interior of saidreceptacle during reciprocal movement of the plunger therein.

5. A waste container according to claim 1 including:

a. A bearing ring on said rim having an'inner peripheral portionengageable with the outer peripheral surface of said plunger.

6. A waste container according to claim 5 wherein:

a. said bearing ring is of a split type with the ends thereof in acircumferentially spaced relation to provide an air bleed for theinterior of said receptacle.

7. A waste container according to claim 1 including:

a. a bearing ring on said rim formed of a yieldable material and of aninverted U-shape in transverse cross section having leg sections in astraddling relation with said rim, and

b. a disposable liner for said receptacle having an open upper endsection folded over said rim for securement thereon by said bearingring.

8. A waste container according to claim 7 wherein: a. said leg sectionsare yieldably movable away from each other to receive said rimtherebetween, and b. coacting means on one of said leg sections and rimfor releasably locking together said bearing ring and rim on downwardmovement of the ring to a predetermined position on said rim.

1. A waste container and packer comprising: a. a receptacle having anopen top with a peripheral rim and a base section, b. a plungerreciprocably movable within said receptacle having an outer end, c. aseat unit constituting a cover for said open top when the plunger is inan extended position within said receptacle, and d. means for securingsaid seat unit to the outEr end of said plunger, e. said receptacle,when the plunger is removed therefrom, adapted to receive waste which,on replacement of the plunger within the receptacle, is compressed bythe weight of a person supported on said seat unit.
 2. A waste containeraccording to claim 1 wherein: a. said receptacle has a side wall, andsaid base section extends laterally outwardly from said side wall, and adepending skirt member on said seat unit positioned outwardly from andin a concentrically spaced relation with said plunger to provide for thereception of said side wall therebetween, b. said skirt member havingthe lower end thereof adjacent said base section when the plunger isextended within said receptacle.
 3. A waste container according to claim2, wherein: a. said skirt member is of a greater length than saidplunger so as to constitute a supporting column for said seat unit whenthe plunger is removed from the receptacle during a waste receiving or awaste removing operation.
 4. A waste container according to claim 1including: a. Air vent means for said receptacle to air bleed theinterior of said receptacle during reciprocal movement of the plungertherein.
 5. A waste container according to claim 1 including: a. Abearing ring on said rim having an inner peripheral portion engageablewith the outer peripheral surface of said plunger.
 6. A waste containeraccording to claim 5 wherein: a. said bearing ring is of a split typewith the ends thereof in a circumferentially spaced relation to providean air bleed for the interior of said receptacle.
 7. A waste containeraccording to claim 1 including: a. a bearing ring on said rim formed ofa yieldable material and of an inverted U-shape in transverse crosssection having leg sections in a straddling relation with said rim, andb. a disposable liner for said receptacle having an open upper endsection folded over said rim for securement thereon by said bearingring.
 8. A waste container according to claim 7 wherein: a. said legsections are yieldably movable away from each other to receive said rimtherebetween, and b. coacting means on one of said leg sections and rimfor releasably locking together said bearing ring and rim on downwardmovement of the ring to a predetermined position on said rim.